[ad_1]
Air New Zealand is launching a search for a Kiwi designer to create new uniforms for its pilots, flight attendants and ground crew.
Expressions of interest are now open for those who can come up with a fresh look, which will replace the current uniform designed by Dame Trelise Cooper and introduced in 2011.
The process will be open to all New Zealand designers, who have until May 14 to register their interest. The airline will then select designers to be part of a competitive pitch process.
Air New Zealand expects to roll out the new uniforms to its more than 5000 customer-facing staff in 2025. It will also be revising grooming standards as part of the update.
Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said the uniform was one of the airline’s most important brand assets, alongside the koru, and recognised around the world.
Supplied
Air New Zealand crew have been wearing the uniforms designed by Dame Trelise Cooper for 12 years.
“It’s often the first thing travellers coming to Aotearoa see… it’s the first visual representation of the country,” she said.
But after 12 years with the current uniform, and following the airline’s announcements about new inflight offerings, it was time for a change to ensure the uniform “reflects the business, our people, and New Zealand as a country into the future”.
This would include enhancing the form, functionality and comfort of the uniform, taking into account the ultra-long-haul flights to New York and Chicago now on offer.
The airline would also be considering the sustainability of its workplace wardrobe, ensuring the fabrics used have a low environmental impact, as well as looking at solutions for the existing uniform, to minimise waste to landfill.
Geraghty said they also wanted the new uniforms to reflect the diversity of their workforce today.
The current uniform, which sees cabin crew wearing pink versions, ground staff in green, and managers in blue, with patterned waistcoats and ties for male staff, has divided opinion over the years.
Marion van Dijk/Stuff
Male staff wear waistcoats with a Kiwiana-inspired pattern (file photo).
When it was first revealed, there were questions raised about whether the koru pattern was culturally appropriate, while others took offence at the bright pink colour worn by cabin crew.
Stuff style editor and Ensemble co-founder Zoe Walker Ahwa earlier this year wrote it was time to update the uniform “to something that really does reflect Aotearoa today” – and took aim at the men’s waistcoats, which she said were “truly corny”.
Air New Zealand first announced plans to update the uniform in 2018, and had hoped it would be adopted by 2021. However, the project was delayed shortly after, and then put on hold due to the pandemic.
Geraghty said the current design had been a “fabulous” uniform, that staff had worn with pride.
“It’s a head-turning uniform wherever you go in the world,” she said.
“It’s really been able to represent both Air New Zealand and Aotearoa very well over the past 12 years.”
She said the expectation was the replacement would have a similarly lengthy tenure of at least 10 years.
What would you like to see Air New Zealand staff wearing? Let us know your ideas in the comments.
[ad_2]